I do not like the idea of Brand Ambassadors. I agree with the feelings expressed in the book:
“The brand ambassador approach has its critics. For example, some view the practice as underhanded or deceptive. However, to avoid charges of deception, most firms advise their ambassadors to openly reveal that they are representatives. Others worry that brand ambassadors will be perceived as hucksters who promote products because they get free stuff—or, worse, as annoying evangelists best avoided.” -- Book page 144
I think it is a very deceptive and underhanded practice and I don’t think the ambassadors openly revealing what they are would change that, though I have never met one so maybe it is not as bad as I think. Being of Generation X, I am very skeptical of marketing claims and knowing some person is getting free stuff will make me even more skeptical of anything they say.
On the issue of companies using facebook to find job candidates, I don’t like this either. I agree with the sentiments expressed in the article that :
“in focus groups, prospective job candidates were sharply averse to being contacted through Facebook for jobs. "The antibodies kicked in pretty quickly. They thought it was very invasive," he said. The company posts job openings on its Facebook page, but Mr. Vijungco said they have had more success finding employees through LinkedIn.” -- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903885604576490763...
I think it is very invasive to use facebook for such a purpose. I have heard horror stories about job candidates being forced to show their facebook pages to potential employers as a screening tool and this sickens me. We already have too much ‘big brother’ going on in our society as it is. Isn’t there any place where we can go and expect some privacy and not have to think that some marketer somewhere is watching our every moves? How much is too much?
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